Freemason police officers within the Metropolitan Police have publicly defended their membership of the secretive organisation, stating they have never given or received preferential treatment because of it. Their comments come after the force announced a new policy requiring officers to declare if they are Freemasons, a move that has sparked fear for their careers and a legal challenge.
Policy Sparks Fear and Legal Action
The controversy erupted in December 2025 when New Scotland Yard placed Freemasonry on its official 'declarable associations' list for staff, granting it a status comparable to previous criminal convictions. The decision followed a consultation where two-thirds of respondents felt membership could impact perceptions of police impartiality and public trust. The policy was recommended in 2021 by the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, which linked Freemasonry to 'recurring suspicion' in the investigations into the 1987 murder of the private detective.
In response, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) has sought an emergency injunction from the High Court to halt the policy. According to UGLE, there are only 440 Freemasons among the Met's 32,135 officers, and roughly 1,200 nationwide.
'Absolutely Unfair': Officers Speak Out
One long-serving Met officer, a Freemason for 12 years who spoke anonymously, told Metro the policy was 'absolutely unfair'. 'Freemasonry is like a club. Why aren't people being made to declare they're members of a rugby club or a golf club as well?' he questioned. He insisted his professional and masonic lives were separate and expressed concern that declaring his membership could hinder his promotion prospects.
'I've got no idea what they are planning to do with the information after they've got it,' he added. 'What if there are other jobs and roles, and then we are told, "No sorry, we can't have you because you're a Freemason."' He is awaiting the outcome of the legal challenge before deciding whether to declare.
Integrity Questioned and Careers at Risk
Another officer, with over a decade of service, wrote a letter to UGLE expressing his profound disappointment. He revealed he had once arrested the daughter of a fellow Freemason who claimed her father's connections would protect her. 'They did not. She was dealt with entirely appropriately,' he stated, emphasising his impartiality.
'Never did I imagine that my integrity would be implicitly questioned because of lawful membership of a centuries-old organisation devoted to moral improvement and charity,' he wrote. The anguish has, for the first time, led him to consider leaving policing.
Officers outside London now fear the policy could spread. A serving officer in south-west England worried it would 'catch on' and damage his career progression. 'At what point does prying into an officer's personal life stop?' he asked.
He described Freemasonry as being about 'ceremony and camaraderie' and denied any conspiratorial activity. 'Anyone can find out what we do... Mainly it's a lot of charity work,' he said, acknowledging the existence of a traditional handshake but downplaying its daily significance.
The Met's Stance and the Path Ahead
The Metropolitan Police continues to defend its decision. Met Commander Simon Messinger said the 'conclusive' consultation results meant it was the right time to address long-standing concerns. 'Public and staff confidence must take precedence over the secrecy of any membership organisation,' he stated.
He clarified that the decision does not ban staff from joining the Freemasons but acts on feedback that involvement 'could call impartiality into question or give rise to conflict of loyalties.' A Met spokesperson confirmed they are aware of the judicial review and will be defending their policy change in court.
